Phoronis
Phoronis is one of the two genera of the horseshoe worm family (Phoronidae), in the phylum Phoronida. The body has two sections, each with its own coelom. There is a specialist feeding structure, the lophophore, which is an extension of the wall of the coelom and is surrounded by tentacles. The gut is U-shaped. The diagnostic feature that distinguishes this genus is the lack of epidermal invagination at the base of the lophophore. These worms are filter feeders.[2]
Phoronis | |
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Phoronis hippocrepia | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Clade: | Lophophorata |
Phylum: | Phoronida |
Family: | Phoronidae |
Genus: | Phoronis Wright 1856 |
Type species | |
Phoronis ovalis Wright 1856 | |
Species | |
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Synonyms | |
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Its larva is an Actinotrocha.
Etymology
The generic name refers to Phoronis (better known as Io), a Greek mythological character sometimes conflated with Isis.[3] Thomas Strethill Wright, of Edinburgh, did not give a specific reason for choosing the name.[4]
Taxonomy
Phronis architecta is no longer accepted and is considered to be a synonym of Phoronis psammophila. Similarly Phoronis vancouverensis is considered to be a synonym of Phoronis ijimai.[5]
References
- World Register of Marine Species
- Phoronida
- "Phoronis". Merriam-Webster Dictionary. "New Latin, probably from Latin Phoronis (Io, mythical priestess of Argos who was loved by Zeus)."
- Strethill Wright, T. (1856). "Description of Two Tubicolar Animals". The Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal. Edinburgh. 4 (new ser.): 316.
[The entire footnote:] Phoronis, one of the surnames of Isis.
- ITIS